Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, has debunked claims of a fallout with Peter Obi, affirming that their relationship remains solid and intact.
Baba-Ahmed made this clarification during his appearance at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held by the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party on Monday.
The Labour Party has been plagued by internal turmoil, splitting into two main factions — one headed by Abure and the other by interim Chairman Nenadi Usman. The division stems largely from controversies surrounding the expiration of Abure’s tenure and a court order barring him from acting as the party’s national chairman.
Prominent figures in the party, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Peter Obi, Datti Baba-Ahmed, and Labour Party-elected lawmakers, have continued to associate with the Usman-led faction.
Addressing journalists at the Abure faction’s NEC meeting in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed explained that his presence was to promote reconciliation.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to the party and clarified Peter Obi’s status, saying, “I have attended and I have listened to the coalition attempts. Yes, I still remain in the Labour Party.”
Speaking further, he added, “To the best of our knowledge, H.E. Peter Obi, my boss, is still a member of the Labour Party. He, just like I, attended the coalition talks; but coalition is not a political party. He has not become a member of ADC.”
On the relationship between him and Obi, Baba-Ahmed was emphatic: “There is no crack between Obi and myself. In fact, it’s impossible for there to be any crack between us. It is easier to break the head of APC than for a crack to exist between me and my boss, Peter Obi.”